Mbowe, other opposition leaders arrested in Songwe ahead of civic polls campaign launch

BY; Saddam Sadick

Songwe. Chadema party Chairman Freeman Mbowe and several other leaders of the opposition have been arrested by police in Songwe Region.

Reports from the region say seven Chadema leaders and one ACT-Wazalendo leader are being questioned allegedly for violating local government election campaign regulations.

A public notice signed by Chadema’s Director of Protocol, Ideology, and Foreign Affairs, John Mrema, names the arrested Chadema leaders, apart from Mr Mbowe, as Nyasa Zone Chairman Joseph Mbilinyi alias Sugu and former Mbozi East Member of Parliament Pascal Haonga.

Others are the party’s head of digital platforms, Appolinary Boniface, Nyasa Zone communications officer Paul Joseph and activist Calvin Ndabila, cadre Mdude Nyagali, Mr Mbowe’s assistants known by single names, Bwire, Adamoo, and Lingwenya, as well as the Mbozi District ACT-Wazalendo chairman, whose name could not be disclosed.

Speaking to The Citizen’s sister paper Mwananchi on Friday, November 22, 2024, Songwe Regional Police Commander (RPC) Augustino Senga confirmed the arrest of the opposition firebrand alongside several others.

"We are indeed holding Mr Mbowe and several other leaders. Although I cannot provide the exact number, they are detained for questioning over the civic polls campaign violations," said the RPC.

"After arriving at the airport, he (Mr Mbowe) was welcomed and greeted by supporters but they were due to hold a rally in an area which was not indicated in the timetable. They defied the order to discontinue the arrangement,” he added.

He explained that a confrontation ensued, leading to the wounding of police officers and one civilian, noting that the incident is being investigated for legal measures.

He emphasised that all political parties should adhere to election laws and regulations, warning that the police would take action against any violations during the campaigns, voting, and result declarations.

However, Mr Mrema says in a statement seen by The Citizen that the incident occurred in the Halungu Forest, located in Mbozi District.

According to Mr Mrema, the opposition leader’s convoy was raided, followed by the arrest of Mr Mbowe and other leaders who accompanied him.

He said the convoy had conducted campaign meetings in Itaka Ward, Itewe Village, and Halungu Town.

“The first meeting that was supposed to take place in Mlowo Town was barred by the police. Our local partners, the ACT Wazalendo Party, had invited us to participate in a joint meeting, but the police refused and dispersed the crowd using tear gas,” says Mr Mrema in the statement.

The opposition party condemned the arrest, with Mr Mrema describing it as a police strategy to undermine its campaigns, calling on the law enforcement agents to release the arrested leaders immediately and unconditionally.

“Our members and leaders should continue campaigns to remove CCM from power,” he insisted, inviting the international community to witness the ongoing violation of democratic rights.